The only ballet flat guide you need: 29 styles from mesh to sequins, satin to studs

Fashion trainers have remained a core trend of 2026 – and there’s no signs of them slowing down. One of the core members? Adidas’ Samba Janes. Part trainer part Mary Jane, they’re the ideal daytime shoe that can easily transition from the office to post-work drinks.

They offer a touch more elegance than a pair of standard kicks, though they still offer the same comfort and support. These Samba Janes are available in plenty of colourways – from burgundy to metallic – though if you’re spending the £80, classic beige will go with everything.

If your holiday packing list needs one more thing, make it this. This affordable ballet flat works with sundresses, linen co-ords and anything else you throw at it. The most summery flat in this entire edit and it's giving very good Euro-summer energy.

All the Alaïa energy, none of the Alaïa price tag. Tony Bianco's Mia flat nails the fishnet mesh and Mary Jane buckle strap combo that's been dominating our feeds — and at £146, it's a considerably easier sell. Wear yours with straight-leg jeans and a white tee and nobody will be asking questions.

The sneakerina is officially having its moment and Vagabond's Hollie is one of the best versions going. Beige suede and the sporty stripe detail — it's the flat that works with literally everything from midi skirts to floaty dresses and still feels fresh. The ballet trainer trend is only going up from here.

Woven raffia? This is the perfect tan tone that goes with every single summer outfit already in your wardrobe. It’s the type of flat you’ll pack on every holiday and reach for every weekend – and at the reduced price tag of £48, you can’t argue otherwise really.

If you’re the kinda gal who considers their shoes the main event, turn to these Dune Halohas. In woven raffia of every shade of the rainbow – complete with a Mary Jane style strap – these joyful shoes are bound to give you a mood boost just by wearing them. Wear with a simple white dress and let the shoes do the talking.

Steve Madden’s Rerun flats are adorned in rhinestone embellishments so they’ll catch the light with every step you take – wear yours with a head-to-toe black outfit and let the shoes do the heavy lifting. And don’t worry about dipping into ‘fancy dress’ territory – the pointed toe and Mary Jane buckle keeps things looking chic and trendy.

The 90s called and honestly? We're picking up. Of course jelly flats have made a return in 2026 – they’re the coolest and easiest shoe to throw on no matter the occasion, whether that’s nipping to the pub, beach or shops. These shoes always qualify. You can style however you please, but we think the cherry red would pair nicely with a white linen dress or a denim midi. Prepare for everyone to ask where they're from.

Something borrowed, something new, something with the most dreamy hand-drawn florals we've ever seen on a ballet flat. This Vivaia x Léa Morichon collab features the French artist's delicate artwork beneath a sheer mesh overlay — soft, intimate and almost weightless.

The adjustable instep strap means a genuinely custom fit, they're podiatrist-approved (APMA certified), machine washable and made from six recycled plastic bottles. Whether you're walking down the aisle or commuting in them the next day, your feet will thank you. Bridal, sustainable and utterly beautiful — Vivaia really thought of everything.

The satin ballet flat is having a serious moment — and Mango's version at £49.99 is the most wearable way to try it. That gathered elastic trim gives it a dreamy, almost lingerie-inspired feel, and the lilac is gorgeous — but it also comes in duck-egg blue and buttermilk yellow, making it an absolute dream for wedding guests who want comfy AND chic. Wear yours with a floaty midi and consider yourself sorted.

Remember when the Dragon Diffusion woven leather tote took over every fashion girl's wardrobe? Imagine that energy but make it a ballet flat. Margaux's woven Demi Jane is exactly that — rich saddle leather woven into the most tactile, artisanal flat going. Wear them together as a matching set if you're feeling very extra. And honestly? You should be.

I own these in silver and wear them to the office almost daily throughout spring and summer — and that tells you everything you need to know. The Speedcat silhouette gives edge to a floating dress or midi skirt in a way no classic ballet flat can, and the silver colourway means they go with far more than you'd expect —Genuinely one of the most wearable shoes in this entire edit.

While initially hesitant to get on board with this summer's 'ugly' shoe trend, these Vivobarefoot ballet flats have totally converted our Features Editor, Jennifer Savin, who has now worn them with everything from midi skirts to cropped leggings, teamed with an oversized striped shirt.

Exceptionally comfy, made of Wild Hide leather and super flexible on the feet, these flats make it easy to hit your 10,000 steps in style (minus any blisters).

If you've spotted stylish London girls in the most sumptuous velvet ballet flats and wondered where they're from — it's Flabelus, and I own this exact pair. Zero breaking in, immediate comfort, and that rich red velvet adds a luxurious textural punch to everything from jeans to midi skirts. Just one rule: dry days only. 😉

Alohas but make it punk. The Rosalind is the brand's beloved silhouette — that relaxed, perfectly considered leather flat — but covered in silver studs from toe to heel with that signature bow at the front. It's edgy without trying too hard, and at £170 it's the kind of statement flat that elevates even the most minimal outfit. The fashion girls have found it. Now you have too.

The two-tone cap-toe ballet flat is a Chanel house code so iconic it's basically its own fashion category. Margaux's Demi nails the brief completely — beige leather, black cap toe, a delicate bow — at a considerably friendlier price point. The kind of shoe that photographs beautifully and goes with absolutely everything in your wardrobe.

Brown suede was the defining shoe trend of AW25 — cowboy-core, 70s-inspired and absolutely everywhere — and this Dune Mary Jane is the flat that carries it beautifully into spring. Dark chocolate suede, gold buckle, pointed toe. Polish it up with wide-leg trousers or wear it with a floral midi for a cooler-than-expected contrast.

Fitflop describing this as possibly the best ballerina in the business is a bold claim — but honestly, they might be right. Crafted in butter-soft metallic nappa leather with a little bow, hidden Dynamicush™ cushioning and a moulded footbed that's been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance for promoting good foot health. It looks like a sleek silver flat. It feels like a sneaker. We need one immediately.